Sixteen Midway High School teens sheltered from the hot spring sun under a tree near Jacob’s Ladder in Cameron Park.
They introduced themselves to one another by sharing their favorite ice cream flavor. Then they hit the trail for the first outing of the Midway High School Hiking Club.
That hike on a Saturday in early May was the fruit of months of work from students, led by president Nathan Lee, to get the club organized and recognized. And in the busy spring semester, between classwork and Advanced Placement exams, it paid off in peace of mind.
“I think it’s really important that we set times to reset ourselves, and get ready for the next upcoming week,” Lee said. “It’s like a little brain reset.”
Lee encouraged club members to connect with each other or use the time to de-stress.
“I really want you guys to have the time to just center yourself in a way that you need,” Lee said.
“Whether that’s talking with your peers and getting closer to them, or if you need some alone time (to) just decompress after a week of APs and finals coming up and all that – it’s totally up to you, it’s all about simplicity,” he said.
Midway High students said being in nature provides a respite from a high-stress school environment.
That idea is backed by research showing that hiking in nature not only benefits the body but can reduce stress, anxiety and blood pressure.
Lee got the idea of starting the club in the fall, and what followed was a journey in itself.
He worked to create a constitution and get forms approved with the help of Kimberly Blessing, a a biology teacher who now serves as club sponsor. But he ran into obstacles: He initially emailed the wrong school official, and he found that a new state law requires parents to sign off on their children joining any school clubs.
The last step came in April when Midway ISD’s Board of Trustees officially approved the club.
Blessing said she admires the drive Lee had to start the club.
“But it’s not the majority that would go out of their way like this, and so I was very impressed,” Blessing said.
Lee planned the hike and led students from Jacob’s Ladder through a bamboo thicket and back around the Brazos River walking trail.
Kate Lehmann, who would go on to graduate in May, enjoyed the opportunity to be in nature and make new friends.
“I just love being outdoors, but I feel like I haven’t been able to spend more time outside because of school and life’s just been so busy,” Lehmann said. “I’m grateful that I joined it because I’ve been able to spend time with friends and make new friends.”
Kate said being on the trails brings her closer to God. She uses that time to say what she is grateful for in her mind.
“It just amazes me how God created all this, all this beautiful creation,” Lehmann said. “It’s so amazing, so beautiful. I’m so blessed to be able to walk through what He’s made.”
Midway High student Matthew Goutierre recently got into hiking. He came to the hike to support his friend Lee.
“He’s become a very significant part of my life, and I definitely want to support him with this, because I know it’s something he enjoys,” Goutierre said.
Midway High student Andrew Wright grew up in a hiking family. He hopes in the future the hiking club would do a trail cleanup. It takes 20 minutes from his home to drive to Cameron Park.
“It’s definitely worth it, but it’s hard to fit it into my schedule,” Wright said. “Saturday mornings are great, and having a reason come out here just makes it that much better.”
For Midway High student Noah Young, hiking provides a space to connect with God.
“God gave us this earth, and we’re supposed to be stewards of it,” Young said. “And
seeing what he gave us, the beauty just makes you really feel grateful for everything he’s given us, and how beautiful it is.”
